Yesterday LeTV launched 3 new phones all with good specs and pricing but all lacking a headphone jack. Is that detail enough to stop you from buying?
There has been a lot of chatter this year that Apple might drop the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 in an attempt to make their phone slimmer and move everyone over to lightning port earphones.
We’ll LeTV have already beaten Apple to the punch with the launch of the Le2, Le Pro 2 and Le Max 2 phones yesterday. Each of the new phones lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the choice isn’t to make a thinner phone but offer better audio.
To be honest this is not the first time a phone has launched without an earphone jack (remember Oppo’s attempt last year?) but this is the first time a manufacturer has done this across a range of phones.
Gizchina News of the week
LeEco will be bundling a Type C adapter with the new phones so you can still use your current headphones, but this does mean you cannot charge your phone and listen to music, and also means you need another piece of kit with you when traveling.
A move away from 3.5mm headphone jacks has been on the cards for a while now, and now that it is here will we embrace the change or does the lack of jack turn you off?
Nah, i could live with it. Small battery bother me;)
lol those poll options really show your stance on this.
This isn’t something “new”, this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit.
You CAN have the “new standard” along with 3.5mm jack just fine in a single phone. But of course it’ll cost them big companies more money than tricking their sheep that it’s an “innovation” rather than feature-culling lol.
since when did manufacturers not try to maximize profits? btw headphone jacks is really old technology
And there are many way to do that.
By the way, the best headphones in the world still use TRS as its default option (with Balanced too of course). Of course it’s probably out of your realm.
and how does that defend your statement that manufacuters have not always been maximizing profits or that headphone jacks are old technology?
When did I ever say that manufacturers have not always been about maximizing profits?
And why does being “old technology” matter?
Talking to you is a waste of time lol.
you said this movement is” this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit” you spoke like it is a REVELATION, by default manufacturers will scheme to maximize profits, so i thought that point was meaningless
i made the point on it being OLD technology to say it is reasonable grounds for something new to replace it just like VGA vs HDMI, or its at the very least grounds to THINK of replacing it
talking to me is a waste of time? but you put effort to tell me this? put that into action if you value your time then dont reply to this comment
lol you’re free to take what I said anyway you want, even getting bent over it, I’m laughing over here. how you even miss my point, not sure if you’re being purposely obtuse or simply that much lol.
what grounds? THAT flawed comparison? this digital thing (which is the same exact thing as the dac in your phone, just that it’s an external unit now) is simply a money-saving scheme, not anything revolutionary. if you still don’t understand then whatever lol. don’t think that it’ll go the way you want it though (or rather, you’re free to think so, I don’t care either way as it won’t affect me at all hahahaha).
no no, i found out that it could be amusing. your response is lol.
The wheel is old technology. Forks are old technology. Spoons are old technology. We continue to use old technology everyday. Also, you misunderstood what the guy meant by they are simply maximizing profits. There are good ways to maximize profits and bad ways to maximize profits. One good way to maximize profits is to introduce a product that gives a great functionality to the consumer. Another good way to maximize profits is to create a great quality product. A bad way to maximize profits is to reduce functionality of your products to save money. Another bad way is to try to trick the consumer using buzzwords and marketing. What Leeco is doing so far seems to be the latter option. Doing this does not improve the product whatsoever. It removes basic functionality.
I kinda think you need another option there like
No, I think removing it sucks donkey balls, but at that price I don’t care
Or something to that affect 🙂
“Yes, I already have some great 3.5mm headphones and don’t want to change” <— Actually it has an adaptor so the 3.5mm headphones dont go to waste.
Yes, but you’ll have to buy it separately because, as always, resellers will steal it from the box, and that’s some extra money you was not supposed to spend!
Your remark is irrelevant, I was talking about the use of a 3.5mm headphone which is possible in contradiction to the poll’s insinuation.
Adapter? A construction like that would get broken to pieces during the first day.
It’s a NO.
That doesn’t sound like LeEco. Their products are premium, owner of x800 pro myself.
Imagine the length of your headphones connector, add adapter to it and thinks about how it’ll keep getting pressed in your pocket – some part of this combo will brake.
I’ll will be testing this very soon so i will get back to you with the results.
I already have, long time ago, before producers started using 3.5mm jack as standard, so you don’t have to.
Didn’t like it at all – don’t wanna come back there.
What happens when you want to charge/transfer files/use a USB function like OTG at the same time?
It is a pain in the butt
Obviously you cant! But fast charge can make things a little bit easier.
Then I’ll just pass. The phone isn’t even thin enough to justify removing it. (Vivo,at 5mm,kept the jack)
My opinion is they did it so you have to go to them for adapters/compatible headphones. It’s a greedy business move.
As always, companies give you less and claim they’re giving you more… Kinda reminds me of samsung with s6 “no, microsd are slow, so we’re getting rid of it so you can have a faster internal memory! It’s a great feature!”… Some months ahead and they’re like “we’re putting a microsd reader on s7, so you can have much more freedom in whatever you’re doing… That’s a great feature, unlike what apple does!”. In this case, letv is willing to sell its own headphones… But that’s hardly a trick that is going to work that well…
Poll didn’t work for me. They should have put both options during the change over from one standard to the new. Without the 3.5mm jack it will help to manufacture the circuit boards quicker and slightly cheaper.
Without 3.55mm jack is the future & I will buy one eventually but not with LeTv phones. Unless of course they will invest more on their OS and not just their looks.
POOR growing pains people, its hard to change BUT you will HAVE to accept it people really dont like change lol
manufacturers also have to accept that not everything will always go their way.
this ‘hate change’ mantra is always the go-to mantra of every sheep out there though, it never got old in the sheep’s mind lol.
There’s no point to this. It’s change for the sake of change, and nothing more.
You don’t HAVE to accept anything. People COULD vote this bs down by not buying this crap. Its sad that most are just consumerist sheep that accept rape. At least video gamers are smart enough to fight back. Made Microsoft get rid of that stupid kinect always has to be on shite.
I already have awesome headphones. Are there headphones with this level of awesome with a Type C end? No? Too soon LeTV. Too soon.
Nah, i could live with it. Small battery bother me;)
lol those poll options really show your stance on this.
“No, I am happy to try something new.”This isn’t something “new”, this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit.
You CAN have the “new standard” along with 3.5mm jack just fine in a single phone. But of course it’ll cost them big companies more money than simply tricking their sheep that it’s an “innovation” rather than feature-culling it actually is lol.
since when did manufacturers not try to maximize profits? btw headphone jacks is really old technology
And there are many way to do that.
By the way, the best headphones in the world still use TRS as its default option (with Balanced too of course). Of course it’s probably out of your realm.
and how does that defend your statement that manufacuters have not always been maximizing profits or that headphone jacks are old technology?
When did I ever say that manufacturers have not always been about maximizing profits?
And why does being “old technology” matter?
Talking to you is a waste of time lol.
you said this movement is” this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit” you spoke like it is a REVELATION, by default manufacturers will scheme to maximize profits, so i thought that point was meaningless
i made the point on it being OLD technology to say it is reasonable grounds for something new to replace it just like VGA vs HDMI, or its at the very least grounds to THINK of replacing it
talking to me is a waste of time? but you put effort to tell me this? put that into action if you value your time then dont reply to this comment
lol you’re free to take what I said anyway you want, even getting bent over it, I’m laughing over here. how you even miss my point, not sure if you’re being purposely obtuse or simply that much lol.
what grounds? THAT flawed comparison? this digital thing (which is the same exact thing as the dac in your phone, just that it’s an external unit now) is simply a money-saving scheme, not anything revolutionary. if you still don’t understand then whatever lol. don’t think that it’ll go the way you want it though (or rather, you’re free to think so, I don’t care either way as it won’t affect me at all hahahaha).
no no, i found out that it could be amusing. your response that is lol.
The wheel is old technology. Forks are old technology. Spoons are old technology. We continue to use old technology everyday. Also, you misunderstood what the guy meant by they are simply maximizing profits. There are good ways to maximize profits and bad ways to maximize profits. One good way to maximize profits is to introduce a product that gives a great functionality to the consumer. Another good way to maximize profits is to create a great quality product. A bad way to maximize profits is to reduce functionality of your products to save money. Another bad way is to try to trick the consumer using buzzwords and marketing. What Leeco is doing so far seems to be the latter option. Doing this does not improve the product whatsoever. It removes basic functionality.
I kinda think you need another option there like
No, I think removing it sucks donkey balls, but at that price I don’t care
Or something to that affect 🙂
“Yes, I already have some great 3.5mm headphones and don’t want to change” <— Actually it has an adapter so the 3.5mm headphones dont go to waste.
Yes, but you’ll have to buy it separately because, as always, resellers will steal it from the box, and that’s some extra money you was not supposed to spend!
Adapter? A construction like that would get broken to pieces during the first day.
It’s a NO.
That doesn’t sound like LeEco. Their products are premium, owner of x800 pro myself.
Your remark is irrelevant, I was talking about the use of a 3.5mm headphone which is possible in contradiction to the poll’s insinuation.
What happens when you want to charge/transfer files/use a USB function like OTG at the same time?
Imagine the length of your headphones connector, add adapter to it and think about how it’ll keep getting pressed in your pocket – some part of this combo will brake.
It is a pain in the butt
Obviously you cant! But fast charge can make things a little bit easier.
I’ll will be testing this very soon so i will get back to you with the results.
Then I’ll just pass. The phone isn’t even thin enough to justify removing it. (Vivo,at 5mm,kept the jack)
My opinion is they did it so you have to go to them for adapters/compatible headphones. It’s a greedy business move.
I already have, long time ago, before producers started using 3.5mm jack as standard, so you don’t have to.
Didn’t like it at all – don’t wanna come back there.
As always, companies give you less and claim they’re giving you more… Kinda reminds me of samsung with s6 “no, microsd are slow, so we’re getting rid of it so you can have a faster internal memory! It’s a great feature!”… Some months ahead and they’re like “we’re putting a microsd reader on s7, so you can have much more freedom in whatever you’re doing… That’s a great feature, unlike what apple does!”. In this case, letv is willing to sell its own headphones… But that’s hardly a trick that is going to work that well…
Poll didn’t work for me. They should have put both options during the change over from one standard to the new. Without the 3.5mm jack it will help to manufacture the circuit boards quicker and slightly cheaper.
Honestly who cares. LeEco “launched” the Max Pro in January at CES, but the never shipped it. What’s the point of launching phones if you’re not going to sell any of them.
As to the statement “A move away from 3.5mm headphone jacks has been on the cards for a while now…”, that’s only Apple, who wants to collect a license fee from ANY manufacturer that plugs something into an iPhone. It’s not a benefit to the consumer in any way, and should be considered “the thing to do” or the “right” thing under any circumstances.
Removing the 3.5mm jack and doubling up on use of the USB port didn’t require a USB Type-C connector, it could have been done at any time. The reason why it wasn’t is because you wouldn’t be able to charge, or plug into a data host or anything while using a headset, and that is just too much of a sacrifice of functionality.
They just showed the phone to the world. They don’t told us they’re going to sell it via retailer’s stores immediately.
Actually, it appears that they’ve superseded the Max Pro with these new phones… and all of the new ones are smaller than 6″.
Without 3.55mm jack is the future & I will buy one eventually but not with LeTv phones. Unless of course they will invest more on their OS and not just their looks.
POOR growing pains people, its hard to change BUT you will HAVE to accept it people really dont like change lol
manufacturers also have to accept that not everything will always go their way.
this ‘hate change’ mantra is always the go-to mantra of every sheep out there though, it never got old in the sheep’s mind lol.
There’s no point to this. It’s change for the sake of change, and nothing more.
You don’t HAVE to accept anything. People COULD vote this bs down by not buying this crap. Its sad that most are just consumerist sheep that accept rape. At least video gamers are smart enough to fight back. Made Microsoft get rid of that stupid kinect always has to be on shite.
a 3.55mm jack is convenient but it doesn’t put me off. I’d use bluetooth and if anything i can use a bluetooth aux adapter to connect my usual ear buds and still use them while being connected to bluetooth.
I already have awesome headphones. Are there headphones with this level of awesome with a Type C end? No? Too soon LeTV. Too soon.
They should offer wireless earbuds with the phone then. What good is a smartphone without proper headphones and mic?
Honestly who cares. LeEco “launched” the Max Pro in January at CES, but the never shipped it. What’s the point of launching phones if you’re not going to sell any of them.
As to the statement “A move away from 3.5mm headphone jacks has been on the cards for a while now…”, that’s only Apple, who wants to collect a license fee from ANY manufacturer that plugs something into an iPhone. It’s not a benefit to the consumer in any way, and should be considered “the thing to do” or the “right” thing under any circumstances.
Removing the 3.5mm jack and doubling up on use of the USB port didn’t require a USB Type-C connector, it could have been done at any time. The reason why it wasn’t is because you wouldn’t be able to charge, or plug into a data host or anything while using a headset, and that is just too much of a sacrifice of functionality.
They just showed the phone to the world. They don’t told us they’re going to sell it via retailer’s stores immediately.
Actually, it appears that they’ve superseded the Max Pro with these new phones… and all of the new ones are smaller than 6″.
a 3.55mm jack is convenient but it doesn’t put me off. I’d use bluetooth and if anything i can use a bluetooth aux adapter to connect my usual ear buds and still use them while being connected to bluetooth.
They should offer wireless earbuds with the phone then. What good is a smartphone without proper headphones and mic?
The battery seems fairly okay for me and with some software optimisations, get to wow. I mean come on, we’ve seen worse capacities with top dogs like Apple and Samsung but that alone shouldn’t wreck a deal. Also the 3.5mm being abandoned hardly bothers me, and I’m sure there are plenty more people that feel the same.
Lastly, those pricing alone are a miracle when u consider what u are getting.
We don’t need thinner phones, we need phones with batteries that don’t require us to recharge them in the middle of the day after heavy use.
Bluetooth is nice for the gym or jogging but isn’t sufficient to replace actual corded headphones. No stupid Bluetooth headset will ever sound as good as a pair of Sennheiser HD558/598’s not even the Bose crap they sell for $300.
Agree. Typed this while recharging my K3 Note in the train at 13:00, after playing heavy game for 1.30h. Ridiculous. The battery is now @40%
The battery seems fairly okay for me and with some software optimisations, get to wow. I mean come on, we’ve seen worse capacities with top dogs like Apple and Samsung but that alone shouldn’t wreck a deal. Also the 3.5mm being abandoned hardly bothers me, and I’m sure there are plenty more people that feel the same.
Lastly, those pricing alone are a miracle when u consider what u are getting.
We don’t need thinner phones, we need phones with batteries that don’t require us to recharge them in the middle of the day after heavy use.
Bluetooth is nice for the gym or jogging but isn’t sufficient to replace actual corded headphones. No stupid Bluetooth headset will ever sound as good as a pair of Sennheiser HD558/598’s not even the Bose crap they sell for $300.
Agree. Typed this while recharging my K3 Note in the train at 13:00, after playing heavy game for 1.30h. Ridiculous. The battery is now @40%
I am not against USB headphones but until it becomes standard you need to keep the 3.5 jack.
Its not just that. You can’t listen to music while charging or using otg. I had a samsung corby. That phine also had only one connector and believe me it is a pain in the butt!
Good points
Same goes for my HTC touch pro. The all in one connector made me buy a 30$ adapter
The real stupidity here is no one has defined any standards. but separate standards like qualcomm and media tek both made for quick charging are not compatible with each other and since usb type-c they will be replaced soon.
Super thin phones? Fail. No micro sd? Fail. No 3.5mm jack? Fail. Small batteries? Fail.
special adapter for audio can be tolerated but small battery cant!
once you accept them….then they will dance and you have to watch…..LeEco….this is not fair…..
What LeEco have basically done with Le 2, Le 2 Pro & Le Max 2 is to disable the internal crappy audio codec pack (performs digital to analog conversion) that comes with all Snapdragon & MediaTek chipsets and route that digital audio signal through USB Type-C. But as headphone/ earphone speakers are analog in nature there is a definite need for digital to analog signal conversion somewhere within the audio chain. Generally audiophile centric phones have digital to analog conversion hardware embedded inside their phone, using quality DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers. Finally analog audio signal is available through 3.5mm female audio jack of the phone on which speakers operate. This gives the user complete freedom to use any headphone he/she wants.
LeEco’s intention is to built an ecosystem around its phones. You buy there phone so now you are bound to buy their headphones. More sell more profit, just like Apple Inc. So none of their current trio of phones can be labeled as audio centric as their is no discrete audio hardware inside their phones. Rather LeEco had made the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers available outside their phones and inside their headphones which is strange as no audiophile headphone manufacturer follows this route.
There is a big question mark regarding the audio quality LeEco headphones have on offer? Any audiophile will first ask what are the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers used inside their headphones? How the power to these hardware are regulated from phone? What are the materials used inside the headphone speakers? LeEco have not provided any information regarding this other than stating they have “solid bass”.
To any audiophile “solid bass” = “solid fail”.
only ppl will buy it who has no intention use mobile as music player.. so older ppl
youngsters will defo not buy it..or will buy only those who accept those basic earphones from box..
Yeah that’s true.
100% correct – and anyone who doesn’t want to use the 3.5mm port on their phone, will generally use the micro-USB port on the phone to pass to their portable DAC (something like a FiiO E18 or Meridian Explorer etc etc).
Most of the phones I buy, have fairly decent hardware in anyway, so I don’t find the extra kit necessary – critical listening is something I generally do at home and not on a mobile phone!
I just don’t see the point of what LeEco are doing – this will prob just alienate customers.
I am not against USB headphones but until it becomes standard you need to keep the 3.5 jack.
Its not just that. You can’t listen to music while charging or using otg. I had a samsung corby. That phine also had only one connector and believe me it is a pain in the butt!
Good points
The real stupidity here is no one has defined any standards. but separate standards like qualcomm and media tek both made for quick charging are not compatible with each other and since usb type-c they will be replaced soon.
Same goes for my HTC touch pro. The all in one connector made me buy a 30$ adapter
Super thin phones? Fail. No micro sd? Fail. No 3.5mm jack? Fail. Small batteries? Fail.
special adapter for audio can be tolerated but small battery cant!
once you accept them….then they will dance and you have to watch…..LeEco….this is not fair…..
What LeEco have basically done with Le 2, Le 2 Pro & Le Max 2 is to disable the internal crappy audio codec pack (performs digital to analog conversion) that comes with all Snapdragon & MediaTek chipsets and route that digital audio signal through USB Type-C. But as headphone/ earphone speakers are analog in nature there is a definite need for digital to analog signal conversion somewhere within the audio chain. Generally audiophile centric phones have digital to analog conversion hardware embedded inside their phone, using quality DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers. Finally analog audio signal is available through 3.5mm female audio jack of the phone on which speakers operate. This gives the user complete freedom to use any headphone he/she wants.
LeEco’s intention is to built an ecosystem around its phones. You buy their phone so now you are bound to buy their headphones. More sell more profit, just like Apple Inc. So none of their current trio of phones can be labeled as audio centric as their is no discrete audio hardware inside their phones. Rather LeEco had made the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers available outside their phones and inside their headphones which is strange as no audiophile headphone manufacturer follows this route.
There is a big question mark regarding the audio quality LeEco headphones have on offer? Any audiophile will first ask what are the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers used inside their headphones? How the power to these hardware are regulated from phone? What are the materials used inside the headphone speakers? LeEco have not provided any information regarding this other than stating they have “solid bass”.
To any audiophile “solid bass” = “solid fail”.
This comment was deleted.
Yeah that’s true.
100% correct – and anyone who doesn’t want to use the 3.5mm port on their phone, will generally use the micro-USB port on the phone to pass to their portable DAC (something like a FiiO E18 or Meridian Explorer etc etc).
Most of the phones I buy, have fairly decent hardware in anyway, so I don’t find the extra kit necessary – critical listening is something I generally do at home and not on a mobile phone!
I just don’t see the point of what LeEco are doing – this will prob just alienate customers.
I can buy it and use some great bluetooth headsets
I don’t care about “better” audio through the 3.5mm jack cos i don’t intend on buying super expensive 3.5mm headphones
I can buy it and use some great bluetooth headsets
I don’t care about “better” audio through the 3.5mm jack cos i don’t intend on buying super expensive 3.5mm headphones
Ok you can use USB Type C for all the things: data, charging, even audio. But ditching the 3.5mm jack is bad because you can no more to listen to music while charging simultaneously.
You could get wireless headphones, although a good pair costs significantly more than what is needed to get a great set with the 3.5mm jack.
You would also have to charge them…
Ok you can use USB Type C for all the things: data, charging, even audio. But ditching the 3.5mm jack is bad because you can no more to listen to music while charging simultaneously.
You could get wireless headphones, although a good pair costs significantly more than what is needed to get a great set with the 3.5mm jack.
You would also have to charge them…
When do people listen with earphones while charging? When i’m near a charger, i’m near my speaker setup or laptop anyways.
I do it all of the time.
U need battery fitted in ur ears….
Nice comment kike….
The problem for me isn’t while charging it’s that I would now have to carry an extra cable with me wherever I go. I always have a pair of headphone on me be it on the train, at the store, at the gym etc. If I forgot this extra cable I am out of luck. If I lose it depending on where I am I might not be able to buy another one, I have yet to see any in retailers around here.
When do people listen with earphones while charging? When i’m near a charger, i’m near my speaker setup or laptop anyways.
I do it all of the time.
U need battery fitted in ur ears….
Nice comment kike….
The problem for me isn’t while charging it’s that I would now have to carry an extra cable with me wherever I go. I always have a pair of headphone on me be it on the train, at the store, at the gym etc. If I forgot this extra cable I am out of luck. If I lose it depending on where I am I might not be able to buy another one (except online), I have yet to see any in retailers around here.
are there different regions for wireless or do the ones sold in china work in the USA too?
are there different regions for wireless or do the ones sold in china work in the USA too?
No, the lack of proper roms for all these phones are the real problem.
No, the lack of proper roms for all these phones are the real problem.